Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, a former Mongolian official, is pioneering AI education for nomadic herders to bridge the digital divide in Mongolia. Her initiatives aim to create equal access to education and empower rural communities in utilizing technology, addressing social disparities in education and income.
At the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, a former Mongolian government official and founder of AI Academy Asia, discussed her commitment to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance education for Mongolia’s nomadic herders. Battsengel, who hails from a herding community, expressed her passionate belief in equal access to education as a means of empowerment, stating, “If we can give people access to equal education … it can create enormous impact.”
With a population of 3.5 million, approximately 30% of Mongolians are nomadic herders. While almost 84% of the overall population is connected to the Internet, significant disparities exist, particularly in rural areas where educational resources, especially in computer science, are lacking. Battsengel emphasized concerns that ongoing digital inequality could exacerbate existing social disparities in education, income, and gender.
Before founding AI Academy Asia, Battsengel served as the Vice Minister of Digital Development, where she led the “E-Mongolia” initiative, aimed at digitizing governmental services for remote populations. She also established Girls Code, a nonprofit initiative empowering girls from marginalized backgrounds through coding education, which has produced graduates now studying at prestigious institutions and launching startups. Her current project seeks to expand educational opportunities to include more communities.
The World Economic Forum has highlighted that AI is projected to significantly affect many jobs globally, with new opportunities emerging due to technological advancements. Battsengel indicates that AI can specifically benefit herder communities by providing practical skills, particularly in weather prediction and livestock health management, crucial for survival during catastrophic weather events referred to as “dzud.”
Battsengel concluded with hope that herders could apply their AI knowledge to enhance their living standards, stating, “I really hope that they use the knowledge (of AI), even in the countryside, to really improve their quality of life.” She remains dedicated to bridging the digital divide for Mongolia’s rural communities to ensure they can thrive within an increasingly digital world.
In Mongolia, approximately 30% of the estimated 3.5 million residents are nomadic herders, with many lacking access to vital educational resources and digital technology. This imbalance has raised concerns about a widening gap between those with digital access and those without. Bolor-Erdene Battsengel aims to combat this through her initiatives focused on training teachers to provide AI education in rural areas, thus promoting digital inclusion and bridging existing social inequalities.
Bolor-Erdene Battsengel is championing the integration of artificial intelligence in Mongolia to foster digital inclusion among nomadic herder communities. By founding AI Academy Asia, and through her previous work with Girls Code and the E-Mongolia initiative, she aims to equip underserved populations with crucial skills for leveraging technology. Battsengel’s efforts reflect a commitment to closing the digital divide and empowering rural communities for a better future.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
